Condoning bigotry makes Ashcroft unfit to be attorney...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

He accepted an honorary degree from Bob Jones University and when informed of the school's racial policies, refused to return the degree.

This, in conjunction with his interview in Southern Partisan magazine, disqualifies him for an office of this stature.

Mr. Ashcroft refuses to acknowledge how organizations such as Bob Jones University and Southern Partisan magazine contribute to the challenges many racial minorities in this country face.

Is this a "compassionate conservative"? I am disappointed in President-elect George W. Bush.

I acknowledge Mr. Ashcroft's past support of measures favorable to minorities, but that legacy is overshadowed by his association with organizations that are hostile to better race relations in this country.

Jami Carothers

Ellicott City

John Ashcroft has accepted an honorary doctorate from Bob Jones University, which openly admits its anti-integration, anti-Jewish beliefs. He has spoken there on at least one occasion. He has never denounced the university's philosophy.

Mr. Ashcroft, as an ultra-religious, ultra-conservative senator, has also spoken and voted against affirmative action.

Given all this, isn't it reasonable to question whether he would be fair in enforcing laws involving minorities or religions other than his own?

It's clear to me what Mr. Ashcroft thinks is important -- and that makes me fear for religious and civil rights.

Chris Russo

Hancock

Headline about Chavez betrayed Sun's bias

I was not surprised to pick up the Jan. 10 Sun and see the headline "Impenitent Chavez quits."

I have no doubt that if she were a Democratic nominee, the headline would have read: "Minority Cabinet nominee succumbs to Republican smear campaign."

The Sun doesn't even pretend to be a factual reporter of news; it's as subtle as a brick.

Robert Moore

Cockeysville

Florida's spoiled ballots weren't all votes for Gore

In The Sun's article "1,700 mispunched chads found in Miami" (Jan. 7) a researcher reached the conclusion that, had they not been mistakenly punched, these mispunched chads would have led to a victory for Vice President Al Gore .

But it's just as possible that these people intended to vote for George W. Bush or anyone else on the ballot. It's also possible they intended to vote for no one, because they as they disliked all the candidates.

The bottom line is: This researcher assumed facts not in evidence, and The Sun printed it as fact.

Albert Franklin Hunt Jr.

Halethorpe

Deregulation of electricity threatens our power supply

The power crisis resulting from California's deregulation of electricity generation should be watched closely by everyone in Central Maryland.

Theoretically, competition will lower our energy rates. But it isn't happening in California. Why should it happen here?

It's a simple case of supply vs. demand. Why would an independent power producer keep reserve electric capacity on hand when it can create artificial shortages and charge exorbitant prices?

When energy companies had exclusive rights to their home territories, as BGE once did, state commissions allowed them to build excess capacities to guarantee continuity of service.

Modern society depends on reliable electric service. Deregulation is a terrible risk.

Mike Griffin

Bel Air

Can't The Sun even keep its verbs straight?

It's bad enough that most Americans graduate from school not knowing the difference between "lie" and "lay."

But must The Sun reinforce their ignorance in the caption under a Jan. 4 photo: "A city truck lays on its side"?

Peter Muncie

Columbia

Campaign finance reform could buttress bipartisanship

Campaign finance reform is not a forgotten issue. In fact, the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill should be one of the first pieces of legislation that our president-elect will sign -- or reject.

In the spirit of reaching out across party lines, many of us hope that George W. Bush will sign.

And we can thank Sen. John McCain for his courageous efforts to give this country back to the American people.

Deborah Aldinger

Philipsburg, Pa.

Leonard Peltier also deserves clemency

The Sun's discussion of pardons under consideration by President Clinton failed to mention Leonard Peltier, the American Indian Movement activist imprisoned since 1976 ("Clinton gives pardon to 59," Dec. 23).

On Dec. 22, I joined other members of the Baltimore Emergency Response Network (BERN) at the FBI's regional headquarters in Woodlawn in a demonstration calling for Mr. Peltier's immediate release.

After the demonstration, FBI representatives accepted a statement by Don Edwards, a retired congressman and former FBI agent. Mr. Edwards, who has studied the case closely, is convinced Mr. Peltier was as scapegoat, never received a fair trial and should be granted clemency.

BERN members and millions of other Americans hope that other FBI agents will also be moved to insist that Mr. Peltier's long nightmare be brought to an end.